Off on an Adventure We Go

I had a birthday a few weeks ago. I'm a young mother at the ripe old age of 25. I didn't take the typical path in life that some do. I couldn't image being an older mother though, because I'm young and my kids wipe me out most days. I'm sure there are older mothers out there though overflowing with energy and would put me to shame. I'm pretty sure this stream of consciousness is going to go somewhere, so stick with me. Last week I was home with my girls, off from work, worn out and wanting nothing more than to lay in my bed all day in a quiet, chilly (but not cold) house, under my covers and watch hours of mindless America's Next Top Model seasons or Gray's Anatomy reruns. I would maybe order some Thai food and lay in my bed and eat it. Doesn't that sound like the most lazy, fabulous day? I guess that says a lot about me. haha

Instead of laying in a cozy bed, I awoke to a quiet morning where my girls had not yet woke and make myself  a cup of coffee. I reminded myself, perhaps more than once, that I'm a young mom full of energy. I thought about my dream date with myself, but quickly realized that I had way more important things to do with my free hours of that day.

My girls straggled into the kitchen (it's still new that Raigan get out of her new big girl bed without assistance and it couldn't make me more happy that she's growing in her independence because she glows when she accomplishes something for herself) groggy eyed and with bed hair. I hurried them to eat their breakfast and promised them an adventure. Things are always more fun when you call them an adventure. Instead of going to the grocery, we're on an adventure to find food! Sounds much more exciting.

So after their quick bite and a shuffle to get dressed off we were well before noon, which frankly is unheard of around here on off days.

We crossed the bridge and Raigan was whinning because I told her no when she asked if we were going to the play place at the mall. Riley joined in and I told them we were going to a bookstore. Not just any bookstore, a fabulous children's bookstore that reminds you of The Shop Around the Corner in You've Got Mail.

I love exploring our city for things and places that are unique and one of a kind. Places that you can't find in any given city in our country. The Blue Manatee is one of those amazing places. My girls have a love for books that I would like to take at least partial credit for instilling in them and what more fun of a place to visit than here.

The store is scattered with unique artwork, displays, benches, and reading nooks very appropriate for feeding little one's imaginations the creative fuel they need.

They have a great selection of children's books, educations materials, classics, chapter books, and on and on.

They also have a cafe that sells all vegan selections. Their website offers a schedule of activities going on at the bookstore as well, like French Story time.

The Root Beer Stand

Last week, or well I guess it was this week, being that it's still Saturday and all, a bunch of us went to a place in Cincinnati that I have only heard tales of. I have been wanting to see if it could be true for the longest time, really a place that makes homemade root beer?

It was true and it was wonderful.

It truly is a stand, very small and cozy inside with a counter and only about 20 of these stools around it. There is seating outside on picnic tables, but we choose to go with the nostalgia of it all and sit inside. Apparently, the Root Beer Stand is the place to be and they take the stand part of their name very seriously, as we had to stand and wait for a place to sit for awhile. haha

The wait was well worth it though for the creamy goodness that was their homemade root beer. It tasted almost like drinking a cream soda flooded with vanilla.

They sell footlongs and burgers, popcorn, and few other menu items. They also make homemade lemonade and orange soda, and you can of course get a root beer float.

These are my nephews and niece, unfortunatly Riley missed out on the Root Beer Stand because she was hanging out with her other cousin for the day, but she has reminded me that she missed out on it more than once, so we'll of course have to go back, twist my arm...

Raigan's faces as of late have been cracking me up, she gives me these when she doesn't want me to photograph her, I'm assuming, because she doesn't tell me. There are times when this 1 1/2 year old will say, "No picture!" So I just click away the cuteness unless she tells me otherwise.

If you live in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area, this place is a must try, especially if you have little ones. Classic stands like this are hard to come by, and home made root beer is too.

It's located in Sharonville right off I-275.

Here is their website for more details: http://www.therootbeerstand.com

Splash Park

Last week we went to this splash park on the east side at Woodland Mounds. It was really cute.

It had an amazing view of the Ohio river, even though I didn't do a very good job of capturing it, but you can see it peaking in the background there can't you?

Raigan just kind of hung out in my arms the whole time and was kind of like, "Ugh, Mom, where do you have me today." Riley on the other hand played it up! I was trying to convince Raggie to take a nap in her car seat here, but she wasn't having any part of that. This child loves her bed, she literally sighs when you put her in it. If I would have known that she wasn't going to nap, I wouldn't have carried her car seat across the mile long parking lot so she could nap in shade since our stroller was left in our other vehicle at my husband's work. Anyway, back to this cool splash park...

All the water features were really cute themed! They weren't just boring buckets like usual. This one is a swan, I think?